Scout Frequencies

Here's detailed information on frequencies suggested as Scout amateur radio frequencies. These were initially suggested by the World Organization of the Scout Movement and their Jamboree on the Air organizer. As with all amateur radio frequencies they are a shared resource. If someone else is already on that frequency, move up or down to find a clear frequency for calling.

All frequencies are shown as megahertz.

Primary HF recommendations are for General Class licensees. Technicians may take advantage of 10 meters and VHF/UHF for voice communications.

After contact is made on a Calling Channel or frequency, move to another channel or frequency for your QSO.

Experiment with modes prior to JOTA or Radio Scouting demo. 'Murphy's Law' prevails!

Use web search tools to find lots of helpful information about any of the modes commonly used for JOTA and Radio Scouting.

WOSM (World Organization of the Scouting Movement) calling frequencies are shown to indicate center of international activity.

HF PSK-31

Call CQ JOTA. The chart below shows the commonly used frequencies for PSK-31.

Band

Frequency

Notes

80 m

3.580

40 m

7.080 (4)

(4) Region 2 (USA).
7.040 to 7.060 for Regions 1 & 3

30 m

10.142

20 m

14.070 (5)

(5) Most activity for JOTA will be on 20 m

17 m

18.100

15 m

21.080 (6)

(6) Most activity can be found at 21.070

12 m

24.920

10 m

28.120

2 Meter FM Simplex

147.450, 147.480, 147.510, 147.540* * Use 147.540 as Calling Channel. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO or auxiliary or control link. Avoid 146.520, the National FM Simplex Calling Frequency, as well as 146.550, which is commonly used by mobiles and RVers.

70 CM FM Simplex

446.000*, 445.950, 446.050, 446.100, 446.150 * Use 446.000 as Calling Channel. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO or auxiliary or control link.

D-STAR

REF033A has been allocated as a full-time JOTA/Radio Scouting D-STAR Reflector. After contact is established, stations should disconnect from REF033A and connect to one or other repeater or migrate to an unused Reflector.

SIMPLEX Channels: 145.670*, 145.640, 145.610, 438.010. * 145.670 and 438.010 are commonly used as the National D-STAR Simplex Channels and should be used only as Calling Channels for JOTA. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO.

DMR

All wide area talkgroups are permitted for use for JOTA for establishing contacts. After contact is established, stations should utilize as few resources as possible. For international, national, and regional QSO's, stations should move their transmissions to one of the DMR-MARC UA talkgroups or to the DCI TAC-310 talkgroup.

For intrastate contacts, stations may use their area's statewide talkgroup (if applicable). The use of your repeater's local talkgroup (if applicable) is always permitted. A full list of repeaters and their available talkgroups can be found at http://www.dmr-marc.net/repeaters.html .

SIMPLEX Channels: 441.0000*, 446.5000, 446.0750, 433.4500, 145.7900*, 145.5100. All simplex frequencies operate on time-slot 1 and use color code 1. (*are commonly used as the National DMR Simplex Channels and should be used only as Calling Channels for JOTA. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO.)

DMR-BRANDMEISTER

The 907 Talk Group has been established so youth can talk worldwide with each other under the correct supervision as outlined in each country’s amateur radio rules for Digital Networks and letting non Amateurs use your equipment on air. (Each Country does differ so do read your rules). The Talk Group is for Scouting, Girl Guides, Youth Groups, Schools and related youth activities.

BrandMeister DMR has set up a World Wide Talk group called 907 JOTA. TG 907 & Reflector 4907 (Open 365 days a year) 907 is only one talk group. Under your Amateur License you can use all Talk groups on BrandMeister. You might wish to talk to regions/countries away from 907.

What you will need to access TG 907 on Brandmeister-DMR: You will need a DMR radio. 907 added to you radio as a channel 907 or assess via reflector 4907. You will also need a Repeater or DV device linked to the Brandmeister network

Ham radio rules apply for making iniDal contact. It’s a good idea to establish contact and move your QSO off to another Talk Group. If TG 907 isn’t busy, it’s OK to stay there.

EchoLink

Software or apps available for Windows, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android. Dedicated Conference Nodes are *JOTA-365* (node 480809) and *JAMBO* (node 832996). When contact is made on a Conference Node, it is recommended the two parties establish direct contact with each other to free up the Conference Node.